In our childhood homes, the cultural and family responsibility to support synagogue, Israel, community, and relatives in Russia, South America, or Israel was accepted with pride and gladness – with faith, but with little understanding.

By interpreting current Jewish issues from Africa to Kosovo, from Metulla to Beersheva; by visiting Russia and Israel and surveying Cleveland's community agencies, meeting the people in need; by observing how Jewish knowledge contributes to Jewish continuity, acknowledging parents' sacrifices for providing Jewish education; by recognizing poverty and social disintegration in our city, country, and the world, we discovered that our philanthropy requires more than fulfilling traditional/religious mandates. Establishing this fund expresses our resolution to confront the compelling contemporary needs of Jews and society.